Shakespeare's Othello is one of Shakespeare's best plays; it is a classic play that features various themes across all the acts. Othello is the central character that the author uses to construct the entire play. The government trusts him and, as a result, is made a commander (Bloom, Harold, p15). Deception, love murder, and jealousy transpire across the play. This article, therefore, explores various elements of the story, including the central theme and character analyses.
Shakespeare's tone changes across the play with each character at a specific point of the paly representing a particular feature that the author intents to communicate. However, his desire for the readers to be aware and understand Lago's plot against Othello is the main thing that remains consistent and over-arching across the play. It creates dramatic irony and adds a powerful impact of tragedy as we watch Othello falling.
The central conflict in the play is between foes and friends, especially Othello and Lago, Othello is driven by the inner conflict of racial and cultural differences which leads to discrimination and judgment (Emily, Hutchinson, p16). As Othello marries and builds a life with Desdemona, their relationship is sabotaged by Lago; he convinces Othello that her Wife is not faithful. The climax is reached at Act III when Othello kills his Wife and finally kneels with Lago; this resolves the conflict.
Character Analyses
Othello
Othe is a protagonist character in the play; he is the general of the Venice Army. He is physical power and eloquent person who is respected by those around him. Othello represents both strong and week charter, this, etc. Evident from how he relates to Lago and other characters. With Lago, Othello is easily manipulated to believe that his Wife Desdemona is unfaithful. He possesses an open and free nature of being; he allows Lago to twist his love from his Wife into jealousy and destruction.
Lago
Shakespeare presents Lago as a cause of unsolvable problems, everything that he says cause worry. He claims to be a person of good reputation and honesty and but he creates lies to manipulate other characters. Lago is married to Emilia and serves as an ensign to the commander, he treats others for a fool, and he is driven by jealousy and vengeance to manipulating Othello to kill his wife, saying that she is unfaithful to him (Bloom, Harold, p18). Othello and other characters continuously rely on him, but he betrays them. He is obsessed and over-controlled by the desire to have power over others.
Rodrigo
Roderigo, Othello's colleague, is a young and rich man who appears a fool; he jealous of Desdemona. He is convinced, and if he gives all that he has to Lago, he is going to win the heart of Desdemona. He feels desperate as Othello marries Desdemona and flees to Cyprus. His foolishness drives him to engage with Lago to kill Cassio, who is another suitor of Desdemona.
Desdemona
Desdemona is a woman of intelligence and spirit; she is the Wife of Othello. She is an honest and direct speaker across the play. Every word she says counts, she endures a lot of challenges of life. She is a responsible and loving and caring Wife; however, her husband turns against her after being manipulated by Lago. She is determined and responds with her husband's actions with dignity. She acts as hostesses and receives petitions.
Emilia
Emilia is the maid and Wife to Lagos; she is emotionally resilient, and an intelligent woman follows her husband in wifely roles. During the play, she develops great loyalty as a maid to Desdemona; she goes to extend disclosing Lago's lies about Desdemona (Emily, Hutchinson, p14). She is a strong woman that despite her husband's actions, helps him whenever he needed her; she summits all her loyalty to Lagos.
The theme of the difference between appearance and reality is evident in the play; one of the examples is Lago's de. The author uses Lago differently; on one side, he appears responsible, a person with reputation; however, in reel sense, he is a liar. For instance, he seems reasonable to Othello. Still, unknowingly he plots to bring him down, he lies that Desdemona is unfaithful, as a result, his weakness Othello plans to kill his wife. Another example is Roderigo's deception; he realizes that Desdemona has married Othello but instead of honorably accepting it, hecontinues to seduce her with gifts. Being a fool and rich, Lago takes advantage and deceives him into offering money to persuade Desdemona.
